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| 5/6/26 QFC parking lot, Magnolia |
Shortly after I had pulled out of the Fishermen’s Terminal parking lot last week, I knew something was wrong: The Miata’s
clutch would barely engage, and shifting into each gear was a struggle. I
pulled into a nearby QFC lot.
Eph’s Towing, recommended by Chuck’s Auto, came to my rescue. When I told Ephraim how questionable the car’s operation was, he decided to maneuver the car out of the parking space and align it with the tow’s flat bed by hand! I was impressed and relieved to see him treat my 30-year-old baby with such care.
Many towing services won’t allow the owner to ride along in the cab, but Eph was happy to take me along. It turned out that we are both Seattle natives and Franklin High grads (although he was probably four decades behind me)! I enjoyed hearing how he got into the towing business and how grateful he is for the flexible work, which enables him to spend more time raising his two young kids. Currently renting a house in Burien, he and his wife are saving toward buying a home. Despite Seattle’s well-known unaffordability, they like it here and hope to stay.
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| Eph securing my baby to the tow bed (photo reference) |
As he dropped me and my Miata off at Chuck’s Auto, I wished Eph well and later left him a five-star review on Google (which he had requested in response to my words of gratitude).
Epilogue: The faulty clutch cylinder was the one that had been replaced just under three years ago (another towing incident that had required a much longer sketchwait than this one), so it was still within warranty. Whew! An automotive bullet dodged, and the Miata rides again!
Whew! I thought it was just last year! I was really impressed by the drawing of the Miata on the low bed, more realistic than your usual live sketch. Then, the note that it was from a photo😆 But, that makes more sense than you standing and sketching while he loads up your baby😁 👍 Anne HwH
ReplyDeleteAs you might guess, I was tempted to sketch him live, but he was moving way too fast. I was happy that I had the presence of mind to snap a photo that I could sketch from later!
DeleteThis world needs more of the kind of interaction you had with Eprhaim - a complete stranger who by engaging with him, you discovered how much you two had in common. Much better than if you'd had to Uber to Chuck's auto (although I suppose that could have resulted in interesting conversation unless it was driverless - lol. I really do enjoy those kinds of accidental meetings.
ReplyDeleteI agree! As an introvert, I'm not inclined to engage in meaningful conversations with strangers, but I was delighted by this encounter.
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